SPG Gold - what is the big deal?
Sep 25, 2016, 3:27 am
#31
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
I don't think anyone ever claimed that SPG Gold was particularly ground-breaking in any way - certainly not a "big deal". I had always taken it to be a "better than nothing, but not enough to sway anything" kind of tier.
MR Gold is not comparable to SPG Gold - you only have to look at the qualification criteria to see this. The MR Gold = SPG Gold designation is just one of the many compromises that the merger represents for both the two chains and the customers.
Conversely, I'm SPG P75 and struggling to see many evidence that MR Plat is any more exciting than MR Gold. Frankly, my own needs would have been significantly better served if the merger didn't happen, because SPG was great for me just the way it is. Instead, I now have to look forward to a complete upheaval of the program with no idea of how the replacement merged program will look like, let alone how the individual properties will treat the tiers of the new program.
MR Gold is not comparable to SPG Gold - you only have to look at the qualification criteria to see this. The MR Gold = SPG Gold designation is just one of the many compromises that the merger represents for both the two chains and the customers.
Conversely, I'm SPG P75 and struggling to see many evidence that MR Plat is any more exciting than MR Gold. Frankly, my own needs would have been significantly better served if the merger didn't happen, because SPG was great for me just the way it is. Instead, I now have to look forward to a complete upheaval of the program with no idea of how the replacement merged program will look like, let alone how the individual properties will treat the tiers of the new program.
Sep 25, 2016, 3:37 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
But Marriott Plats did not match at the 50-night "tier" of SPG Platinum. We matched at the most basic SPG Platinum level. SPG will only provide the additional benefits of the 50-night tier if we actually stay 50 nights at Starwood-legacy properties. The status match does not recognize the minimum of 75 nights to achieve Marriott Platinum in any way.
Meanwhile, all SPG Plats match at the full Marriott Platinum level that normally requires at least 75 Marriott nights -- even those SPG Plats who had just 25 eligible stays or 50 eligible nights in a calendar year.
I've been SPG Gold for a few years. I consider the value of SPG Gold to be substantially inferior to Marriott Gold.
I can see Marriott reaching out to SPG members, but the match mapping significantly favors SPG members.
Of course, all this is temporary. When the programs are actually combined, it's likely that qualification levels will look much more like Marriott Rewards than SPG.
Meanwhile, all SPG Plats match at the full Marriott Platinum level that normally requires at least 75 Marriott nights -- even those SPG Plats who had just 25 eligible stays or 50 eligible nights in a calendar year.
I've been SPG Gold for a few years. I consider the value of SPG Gold to be substantially inferior to Marriott Gold.
I can see Marriott reaching out to SPG members, but the match mapping significantly favors SPG members.
Of course, all this is temporary. When the programs are actually combined, it's likely that qualification levels will look much more like Marriott Rewards than SPG.
- same 50% bonus points
- breakfast at ALL SPG properties (vs. limitations with MR)
- much higher suite UG likelihood
- access to better/incremental point earning via Plat welcome, MAGC, Uber/Delta, etc.
Sep 25, 2016, 3:39 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
You won't, unfortunately...add'l 25% point bonus and a welcome point amenity are basically it. Same goes for the ~3% (from what I remember reading) of the Plat level that is elevated to Premier Platinum...they make it seem like a total joke.
Sep 25, 2016, 3:28 pm
#34
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
I am a Marriott Gold and am generally treated quite well in Marriott & Renaissance properties, particularly in Europe & Asia, which is where most of my stays are.
The most important Marriott Gold benefit for me is free breakfast / lounge access, but it seems that that does not apply to SPG hotels. So why should I get excited about my newly minted SPG Gold status and start booking SPG properties now?
The most important Marriott Gold benefit for me is free breakfast / lounge access, but it seems that that does not apply to SPG hotels. So why should I get excited about my newly minted SPG Gold status and start booking SPG properties now?
Because free breakfast/lounge access is important to you, booking at SPG properties wouldn't make sense for you because SPG Gold get neither as a published benefit. Since you do get free brekkie/lounge access as Marriott Gold as a published benefit, stick w/ Marriott properties until 2018.
When it would make sense for you to book a SPG property is if you're in a location where there is a SPG property but not a Marriott property. You'd get points which you could transfer back to Marriott.
Cheers.
Sep 25, 2016, 4:32 pm
#35
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Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
No. Giving an unlimited benefit to one group does not screw another. If anyone got screwed, it would be SPG Platinums since their best benefit - suite upgrades - is limited and now diluted.
Last edited by mahasamatman; Sep 25, 2016 at 4:48 pm Reason: Removed comment that doesn't apply
Sep 25, 2016, 6:48 pm
#36
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
How did SPG Platinums get screwed exactly? No Marriott elite received suite night upgrades certs. Marriott Platinums were matched to SPG Platinum 25.
Last edited by Segments; Sep 25, 2016 at 6:54 pm
Sep 25, 2016, 9:14 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
Many properties (esp. outside of the US) provide suite upgrades to P25 without SNA. Having a flood of new SPG Plats coming from MR is not going to help that in any way.
Sep 25, 2016, 10:05 pm
#38
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
A huge benefit of SPG Platinum to me is the ability to get there with 25 STAYS. I do a ton of one night stands. Fifty NIGHTS for MR Gold or SPG Plat would be impossible for me to achieve.
Sep 25, 2016, 10:05 pm
#39
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
And Marriott properties provide complimentary suite upgrades as well (esp outside of the US). A wash in benefits between the programs.
Sep 25, 2016, 10:33 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
HHonors Gold is also available via CC and worth more than SPG Gold.
As to getting status the hard way, SPG loyalists keep reminding us how hard it is to be loyal due to the limited footprint. So which is it? Easier due to less nights needed or harder because *wood properties aren't everywhere? Pick one.
As to getting status the hard way, SPG loyalists keep reminding us how hard it is to be loyal due to the limited footprint. So which is it? Easier due to less nights needed or harder because *wood properties aren't everywhere? Pick one.
Sep 25, 2016, 10:59 pm
#41
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 981
in my 3 years as SPG platinum, it's been well over 50%, and almost always the times i care most (calling etc for a special occasion yas >95% hit rate to getting what i'm hoping for).
the suite upgrades between the 2 programs are nowhere near comparable. marriott folks made out well getting SPG platinum. (yay for me since i stopped staying at SPG this year and am relying on my marriott lifetime plat status for the match)
Sep 26, 2016, 12:15 am
#42
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,147
Just became SPG Gold today, so I would be very much appreciative if someone can educate me about the Delta crossover. Does the SPG Gold status create some benefit with Delta? Thanks.
Last edited by Oxon Flyer; Sep 26, 2016 at 8:15 am Reason: fix a problem with the quote frame
Sep 26, 2016, 2:55 am
#43
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Guangzhou
Programs: SPG
Posts: 1,021
SPG Gold members earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar spent on eligible Delta flights. You may click this link to learn more information about Crossover Rewards benefits,
Best Regards,
Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Last edited by Oxon Flyer; Sep 26, 2016 at 8:15 am Reason: fix a problem with the quote frame
Sep 26, 2016, 3:04 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,147
[QUOTE=Starwood Lurker III;27263920][QUOTE=747FC;27263578]
Thanks!
The main appeal of SPG Gold is...Delta crossover..
Hi 747FC,
SPG Gold members earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar spent on eligible Delta flights. You may click this link to learn more information about Crossover Rewards benefits,
Best Regards,
Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Hi 747FC,
SPG Gold members earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar spent on eligible Delta flights. You may click this link to learn more information about Crossover Rewards benefits,
Best Regards,
Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Sep 26, 2016, 7:59 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172